QUEENSLAND great Jeff Miller has pleaded for Wallaby selection for flanker Liam Gill so he escape the dire fallout of the Reds’ collapse.

Gill has played just 52 minutes of rugby over the past two months because a calf injury followed his hamstring tear in Johannesburg on March 22.

Ewen McKenzie must pick three openside flankers in his 32-man Wallabies squad on Thursday for Gill to be guaranteed selection.

Test incumbent Michael Hooper is a certainty and McKenzie cannot exclude Western Force standout Matt Hodgson when he preaches the squad will be picked on consistent form.

Hodgson, 32, has been one of the most significant forwards across the whole Super Rugby competition in driving the Western Force fairytale.

Gill, 22, was the pick of the Reds pack early in the season with his versatile contributions.

McKenzie’s enormous opinion of Gill when he coached the Reds should ink his name in the 32 but picking three No.7s is still a stretch.

“History has shown how important good No.7s are to the success of the Wallabies,” said Miller, a former Wallaby flanker and national selector.News_Rich_Media: Queensland Reds captain James Horwill doesn't hold back when stating the referees decision to hand down a red card for eye gouging was a 'stupid mistake' that changed the game

“It’s such a specialist position. You’d be crazy not to have Liam in there and three in the squad.”

Working with three opensides makes far more sense than operating with one specialist which was the selection clanger that backfired on former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans at the 2011 World Cup.

Miller agreed that Hodgson had mounted an irresistible case for a Wallabies recall.

“He’s got a lot of experience, toughness and an edge to him,” Miller said.

“Gill is very courageous, he has more ability to pilfer ball than Hooper and, when fit, he’s 100 per cent got to be in there.”

Gill’s calf will be mended for a Reds recall against the Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium on May 30 so he’ll be fit to join the first Wallabies camp two days later.News_Rich_Media: Quade Cooper leaves the field early, claims for eye gouging and a blockbuster finish made up an exciting encounter between the Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels

McKenzie revealed the purpose of a meeting yesterday in Sydney was to resolve “a lot of 50-50” calls in selection.

Unfortunately, the Reds performances have been so ordinary that only James Horwill, Will Genia, James Slipper, Rob Simmons and hopefully Gill are certain Wallabies selections.

Recent Wallabies James Hanson and Saia Faingaa are in the hunt for the third hooker’s spot but selection hopes for five other players have dissolved.